Went to Hopscotch last Friday for the second time. For those who are unlucky enough to miss the event, Hopscotch is the annual Vancouver Whisky and Beer show. Had a wonderful time when I first went with "She Who Must Be Obeyed", so this year we returned with a couple of friends in tow. I went in blind last year so we ate first which was a mistake. There are some food vendors on site from some of the local restaurants, and the samples they dish out are designed to impress at negligible cost.
As well, I learned that the first order of business when you get in is to sign up for the various presentations from the distillery reps and industry muck-a-mucks. The seats go fast because the talks can be very interesting, and of course they are pouring whatever liquid they are producing/pushing. Last year I was at the Bowmore talk (darkest and 18 year -yum), this year we saw J Wheelock of the Edrington Group (Macallan, Highland Park, Famous Grouse) and then Michael Nicolson, a retired distiller of Lagavulin, Glenkinchie, Caol Ila, Dalwhinnie, Rosebank, and a bunch of others. Sounds like he bounced around a lot. For all I know he may have been the worst Master Distiller in the history of Scotland, but he told some good stories and poured liberally.
Unlike last year I went with a definite tasting plan in mind. I did not want to try anything I have ever had, or anything that I could easily try locally on the cheap. I really did my best, but I have to admit that towards the end of the night I may have softened a bit.
The "must tastes" were Amrut, Penderyn, Bruichladdich PC7, Dalmore 12, Cragganmore 12, Dalwhinnie 15, Glenmorangie "Nectar D'Or", Highland Park 15 (I'm weak), Nikka Whiskey From the Barrel, and some specialty Vodkas and Tequilas. There are some other spirits there in the mix as well as the beers of which I only had one, but it was a winner. Never found the Nikka, missed the Bruichladdich, but I made up for them by trying the Glenkinchie, Tyrconnell, and especially the Tullibardine 1488 Premium Whisky Ale. Trying that one again. You are given a small tasting glass when you go in, and while it barely suffices for Scotch and Spirits, it is too small to do any justice for beer.
So here is the report. I prefer to do my tasting with a Glencairn glass which really concentrates the nose, and with the noise and hubbub if the show all you can realistically hope to accomplish is to identify the drinks which you want to further explore later. It may take some time to identify a great Scotch, but it takes very little to find those you don't care for. In the latter category there was one big surprise, the "Nectar D'Or" which I had heard very good things about was a major disappointment. I like my Scotch to taste like Scotch. I want malt, peat, sweetness, and when I am in the mood, smoke. If I want to drink Sauternes/Sherry/whatever (nope) I'll drink that. It is as if they are ashamed to be producing Scotch and are doing their best to disguise it. The Highland Park 15 was terrific, but not any particular improvement over the 12. Save your money. Glenkinchie was so smooth and mild as to be non-existent. If you have a friend you drink with who does not like Scotch, order them that one. They may love it.
Now the winners. Amrut, Penderyn, Cragganmore, and The Whisky Beer. I had heard some very bad reports about the Penderyn, but the mouthfeel was wonderful, the balance was spot on, and it tasted just fine. I'll have to revisit that one at a later date. The Tullibardine 1488 Premium Whisky Ale was smooth and flavourful. There are only 2 stores in the area that carry it, but I am going to try to pick some up this weekend. I'm a warm weather beer drinker, but the significant other really enjoyed it. Must try to please. The Cragganmore was quite interesting. My reaction at the time was that it was not exciting and not particularly special, but at the same time there was absolutely nothing wrong with it at all. It hit every note that I am looking for in a whiskey. There has to be a place for whiskeys that may not blow you away, but at the same time are absolutely competent. Cragganmore is like a professional athlete with a retiring personality. May not put a lot of seats in the stands, but you still want them on your team.
The winner - Amrut. There were 4 bottles there. Regular, Cask Strength, Peated, and Peated Cask Strength. I was not in an Islay mood so I went for the Cask Strength. Tried it first neat, and then with water. This is majorly good stuff. Several hundred years of being under the British thumb and they retaliate by producing a whiskey that rivals anything I've tasted from Scotland. Smooth, balanced, full flavoured, delicious. It will be my next bottle. I would love to try the regular strength and the peated, but it is just now trickling into the country and I don't know any place that serves it. Further examination is definitely required.
Finally 2 tips. If you are a major nerd, or just don't give a damn what people think, bring a notepad to your tasting. This may come as a shock, but there appears to be something in whiskey which has the effect of befuddling the mind. I am not a professional taster, so unless it tastes like crap, I'm not spitting it out. I refuse to dishonour all the time and effort that went into it. So, by the end of the night I may not have been at my sharpest. The other tip is to try what you are most interested in early. You will be more alert (see tip one), and if it is truly something wonderful you can revisit it again to get a second or even third reaction.
